The Answer to the Riddle is...Ron Loves Riddles

Oh, Parks and Recreation!  I don't know why more of the people I know don't watch this show.  Of all of the shows that I'm watching nowadays, it's probably the one that makes me laugh the most.  S04E14 was no exception.  It's hard to pick which things that I loved the best!

Got to love the ongoing animosity between April and Ann.  It's getting better since she did admit in this episode that Ann's not the ugliest person in the world, but of course, April can't be openly nice to Ann because it just wouldn't be April.  She does end up listening to Leslie and giving Ann some help this episode.  Aww, they are all such good friends.  I'd be April's friend for sure.

I love that Ron's enthusiastic start of the "Get-Ann-A-Date" meeting was actually meant for his ribs.  Damnit, Ron, you are just the best!

But poor Chris!  I can't believe that Jerry's daughter broke up with him in the last episode (I got a little teary after seeing how heartbroken he was talking with April last week).  Well, actually I do.  He is crazy.  But you gotta love his upbeat personality that is so annoying to other people.  I like that Tom is not fazed by Chris being down at all and treats him like normal.  Good ol' Tom.  Chris ends up being the dj for the couples party that night.  So funny!  All of his music was intensely depressing or creepy.  Because of this development, my favorite quote of the episode came up: 

[Tom] (suggesting that Chris change the music) It kinda sounds like the end of a movie about a monk who killed himself.

[Chris] It is.

Chris eventually loosens up and switches to lighter, more appropriate music.  Not sure why.  I thought it was because he was starting to date Ann again, but it turned out to not be the case.  Maybe he saw Ann being down herself and decided that he didn't need to help her stay in her funk.  Who knows.  I love that Chris, unable to imagine anyone better than his ex-girlfriend, starts to longingly gaze at Jerry from across the room.  Thankfully Tom was there to tell him to cut that out.  Oh, Chris.

It's no surprise to me that Leslie would top Ben's present with something so specific and crazy as a cryptex.  I knew that he would never be able to crack it.  I almost thought Andy would randomly get it until Andy decided to take Ben to the smartest person he knew--Ron, of course.  Also, no surprise that Ron takes a hammer to the thing to open it so he could get his next clue about where to meet Leslie for Valentine's Day.  Classic Ron!  I was surprised that he was a little enthusiastic about finding the next clue!  I thought Ron had to secretly like riddles because he surely couldn't just want to hang out with Andy (though he did admit to enjoying his company) and Ben.  He later admits to loving riddles (after wanting to go on the record to say that he didn't).

The trio eventually splits up the work, after finding out there are like over 20 clues to get.  I liked when Ron casually goes into a gay bar and gets a clue.  He got lots of interested looks, but he paid them no mind just having such a good time solving the clues.  I did think that guy at the snow globe place was jerk; just because he didn't have a date that night and had to work doesn't mean he had to take it out on Ben.  They don't collect all the clues, but Ron smartly gives Ben the idea where to meet Leslie.  Ron was really disappointed he didn't get to solve it completely.  So cute!

Leslie and Ben decide not to go on their dinner date so they can spy on Ann's secret date.  It turns out to be Tom, whom I was thinking about earlier when he was introducing various date candiates to Ann.   Speaking of that scene, I like when Tom dismisses a guy right from the start because he introduced himself using juggling.  Great!  Anyway, Ann and Tom just have a drink, but we don't know if anything will come out of that right now.  I'm not opposed to their pairing, I'm just not so sure how great it would be.  I think Ann's a little uptight and Tom seems like a fun, innovative guy.  But who knows?  Maybe they will even each other out.

Another favorite part of the episode for me was when Ron tries to hint to Leslie that he wants a scavenger  hunt for his birthday.  I love seeing him excited!  I hope she does do that, although with Leslie she always tries to go bigger and better, so you never know what she might have in store.  If Ron's involved, though, I'm sure it will be full of laughs.  His birthday can't come soon enough!

This week's episode was great.  I'm looking forward to seeing what's up with Chris, Tom and Ann's relationship, and more Ron Swanson gold.